The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-04-09

OuC VI US iAik oOWht vega
Fred, uncertainty, and with realizing
sense of being on the new barn, who's
superior height and generally large di
mansions had been their pride. "Bu
then"
"You'd break your neck" said Prud.
Jane, decisively. Don't go near tn
edge to look off, either, or you'll fall. No
far as can see we've just got to set her
till somebody comes to help us off,"
1t was not an encouraging prospect, TO
at that quiet farm. house, standing bael
from the country-road, hours, or ever
the whole day might pass without a Wis
itor of any kind. Fortunately the roo
was not very steep, and they could si
upon it in tolerable safety; though Prudy
Jane expressed hope that Mis- Swiss
Family Rob son had comfortabler place
specially if she was subject to rheum
atiz."
However, Prudy Jane was not one to
spend her breath in lamenting over that
which could not be helped. Having
searched her brain in vain for any way OF
escape, she accepted the situation as
calmly as possible, and amused the chill
dren with the stories of early days In
dian alarms, and dangers from bears and
wolves-in which their hearts delighted.
"But you never told us stories any
other time without having to stop in the
middle to tend to things, or thinking you
smelled something burning" said Joe.
81 smell something burnin' now," de-
clared Prudy Jane with a hopeless sniff.
81 s'pose it's them pears 1 put on to cook.
Couldn't hardly be the pies, for the oven
wasn't hot enough; 1 meant to have put
in more wood as soon as I'd got Sis
down."
1t was long session. Stories were fol-
lowed by riddles, and then by songs. Pru.
dy Jane talked until she said her throat
felt ''dry as corn-cob," and the children
tried by turns to enliyen the occasion.
Jimmy wondered what people on desert
islands talked about after they had been
there years and years. Fred said what
he wondered about was how chickens
could enjoy sitting on pole all night, if
it was an ything like this.
Il know one thing" he added; "I'll do
more for little Ben Grey after this-lend
him books and stop and play with him
more. 1 never thought how it would
seem to have to sit in chair all the time,
the way ne does"
Plans for lame Ben formed fruitful
topic for little while. The children had
ample time to think over their posses
sions and decide what ne would like, and
what they could give and do. But even
this prolific topic was exhausted, and
their sympathy turned upon themselves
once more. Jimmy plaintively inquired
what they would have had for dinner il
they had been where dinner was posi-
BILE; but the bill of fare recounted by
Prudy Jane only increased his hunger.
The sun climbed away over the barn, and
from laughing at the east side, and look
ing down from straight overhead, began
to throw slant rays from the west. Sis
went to sleep with her head in Prudy
James lap, and strong arm to hold her
from slipping; but the others did not dare
to indulge in slumber.
1t was in October, but the boys were
perfectly sure that it was the longest day
in the year, and Prudy Jane agreed with
them to the extent of affirming that, to
the best Of her recollection, it was the
ongest day in thirty years. But it ended
at last, as all days must. The sun was
dropping low toward his bed of soft,
heeey clouds, when welcome sound Of
horses hoofs was heard, and stalwart.
eunbrowned young neighbor rode into
The yard.
"Hiraml HiramP called all the voices
in chorus, "Come and help usP'
Hiram looked around him in bewilder-
ment, then upward in amazement.
"What in the name Of sense are you
all up there for? Mad dog after you?
Robbers?"
Robbers'll never have another go
good chance if 1 once get on terror
firmly again." declared Prudy Jane.
There's the ladder; let US down first,
and we'll explain afterward."
The explanation was given amid much
imping, oh-my-ing, and stretching of
cramped limbs. And though Hiram
laughed not little, he was good nat
ured Young fellow, and insisted upon
stopping to drive up the COWS and help
with the belated milking.
"Good thing l concluded to come
around this way and bring your mail" he
said.
There was only time for hurried do
ing up Of chores" but tasks that were
often distasteful seemed really delightful
this night, and were undertaken gladly,
while Prudy Jane cooked the supper.
And such feast as that supper was!
Everything was in it's usual order when
the farmer and his wife reached home at
nine o'clock, and Prudy Jane, in answer
to the first anxious inquiry, said that all
was well, and they had had quiet day
remarkably quiet.
"And Pa Nelson" said Jimmy, with a
sudden bright thought, "I'ye earned that
dollar to-day-sach one of us has"
"Ehl What's that?' said Mr.. Nelson.
81 puess Prudy Jane'll tell a different